Malaysia to end winless run

MALAYSIA’S best chance of securing a first-ever win in four appearances at the ACC Under-19 Youth Asia Cup rests on the match against Nepal next week.

The team have lost all nine matches in three previous editions of the tournament, which Malaysia are hosting for a second time.

While Malaysia’s first two Group A opponents, India and Bangladesh are playing at a level far higher than the hosts, coach Suresh Navaratnam will fancy his side’s chances of beating Nepal on Tuesday at the Bayuemas Oval in Klang.

“Frankly speaking, our best chance of winning a match is in the game against Nepal but this is also an opportunity for the players to gain experience when playing against the Test nations,” said Malaysian Cricket Association president Mahinda Vallipuram yesterday.

The national selectors have been forced to omit several players who played in the Eastern Region qualifying tournament in September, where Nepal trounced Malaysia by 10 wickets in the semi-finals, due to the SPM examinations.

Among those to miss out are wicketkeeper Fadhli Harris Abdul Rahman, Nalin De Silva, Shahrel Aizat Mohd and Islah Muhaimin Zol.

But the squad can count on the presence of senior national team members Virandeep Singh and Syed Aziz Syed Mubarak.

Malaysia open their campaign against three-time champions India at the Kinrara Oval tomorrow before facing Bangladesh in Klang on Monday.

The United Arab Emirates qualified for the tournament and joined Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan in Group B after winning the Western Region qualifiers with a 194-run win over Kuwait in the final at the Kinrara Oval on Tuesday.

Squad: Virandeep Singh, Syed Aziz Syed Mubarak, Vijay Unni, Saifullah Malik, Wan Amirul Zulkarnain Wan Azman, Shaunvinder Singh, Shahid Adzli, Ammar Uzair Fakri, Visvaruben Kumar, Hafiz Khair, Irfaq Wan Yusuf, Amir Azim Shukor, Haiqal Khair, Arief Yusof, Aslam Khan Malik. Devinder Singh